Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Aug. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Marion held in the Council Chambers at 5:30 P.M. The City Clerk was instructed to call the roll and the response was as follows:

PHYSICALLY PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER.

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER WEBB.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Absher led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments this evening.

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.

NEW BUSINESS

BUILDING AND CODE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Affirm/Overrule Zoning Board's Approval of a Variance at 1517 Champions Drive

Absher explained the variance request on Champions Drive is due to a yard intrusion and setback issue. The patio at this address was built without a permit. Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake said the patio is close to the lot lines and the builder did not go through the permit process prior to building the patio. Mayor Absher indicated the land being encroached belongs to the parties requesting the variance. Cody said the city has not received any complaints regarding this patio and the variance was applied for at the city's request.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to affirm the Zoning Board's approval of a variance at 1517 Champions Drive for a yard intrusion and setback of a permanent patio that was built without an approved permit. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.

Affirm/Overrule Zoning Board's Approval of a Zoning Change at 1600 East Boyton Street

Mayor Absher explained the zoning change for 1600 East Boyton Street was requested by Jerry Ross of Ross Construction. The building at this location was formerly the GTE Operations Center and for some reason was zoned as R-2 Multi-Family Residential. He said this was always a commercial operation and thinks this was probably missed when zoning changes were made some years ago. Jerry Ross wants to zone this property as C-1 so he can operate his construction company office there.

Mayor Absher made a motion to affirm the Zoning Board's approval of a Zoning Change (Ordinance 3908) at 1600 East Boyton Street PIN# 07-20-153-002 from R-2 Multi-Family Residential to C-1 General Commercial to use as office space for Ross Construction. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.

Ordinance 3909 Amending Ordinance 2206 Concerning Weeds, Grass, and Vegetation

Mayor Absher said Ordinance 3909 is to make a technical change to the existing ordinance. City Attorney Wendy Cunningham explained that she and Building and Code Services Office Manger Kathy Spicer thought this change had already been made. She said the Code Officer already uses the eight-inch height requirement when posting yards that need to be mowed. Wendy said the Building and Code Services Department adopted the International Property Maintenance Code in 2020 and this change in the ordinance will match that code.

Mayor Absher clarified this change corrects the city's code and stated if a resident's grass is over eight inches tall it will get posted for mowing. If the grass is not mowed after ten days, the city will mow and will charge the resident $250. Mayor Absher said the city does not want to mow properties because it drains city resources. If the city mows a property and the $250 fee is not paid, the city places a lien on the property. He explained filing liens also costs the city money. City Attorney Cunningham explained that after time, unpaid liens can cause the city to foreclose on the property.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3909 Amending Ordinance 2206 Concerning Weeds, Grass, and Vegetation. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.

PAVILION

Approve Replacement of Bathroom Sinks and Cabinetry

Mayor Absher told the Council the replacement of bathroom sinks and cabinetry is the last piece of the remodeling project at the Pavilion that has been going on for the last year and a half. He said the plumbing quote was budgeted and is within budget. The cabinetry bid is over budget. Both bids in aggregate are over budget. Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council these contractors have already done other work on this project. The total project cost was too much for one budget year and has been spread out over multiple budget years.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the bid from Marion Plumbing, LLC in the amount of $32,731 to replace 26 sinks including new traps and supply lines and moved to approve the bid from Ross Construction, Inc. for $39,870 to furnish and install new laminate vanity tops and 30- inch cabinets beneath each vanity in each restroom.

Commissioner Stoecklin asked about the discrepancy on the Ross Construction bid between the numerical amount listed ($39,870) and the amount listed as the base bid proposal ($35,910). Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake did not know which amount was the correct amount.

Mayor Absher modified his motion to reflect the $35,910 amount. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ordinance 3910 Setting a Date, Time, and Place for a Public Hearing

Mayor told the Council and audience for three years the city has been working on submitting a project plan to the State of Illinois for the STAR Bonds District that has been long established in the city. He said the city has received approval from the State to be able to proceed. The next statutory requirement for the project to continue is for the city to set a public hearing date where the Master Developer Millennium Destination Development will be presenting their plan to the general public. Mayor Absher and other experts will be there to answer questions. Ordinance 3910 sets the public hearing for Tuesday, September 12th at 6:00 P.M. at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3910 setting the public hearing for the Proposed Marion STAR Bonds District Area #1 and the project plan for the Marion STAR Bonds District Project Area #1 to be held at 6:00 P.M. central time on September 12th at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza, Marion. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Patton - Accounts & Finances

Commissioner Patton had no report tonight but will be reporting on the Colt League World Series at the next meeting.

Commissioner Barwick – Public Health & Safety

Commissioner Barwick read the Police Department, Narcotics Unit, and Fire Department reports for July. He reported 2,267 dispatched calls; 2,192 911 calls; 4,703 non-emergency calls; 278 ambulance calls and 112 fire calls during July.

Mayor Absher - Public Affairs

Mayor Absher reported information sent to him by Library Director Loretta Broomfield. The 2023 Summer Reading Program wrapped up in June. There were 650 registrations, 100 more than last year. The Library received notice they will receive nearly $25,000 for internet connectivity equipment and services through federal e rate funding. These funds will allow upgrades of wireless access points and battery back ups to improve connectivity for patrons and staff. They also received preliminary notification the Project Next Gen grant will continue for 2024. This will be a $30,000 grant. September is National Library Card Sign Up month. The staff is working on a show your card campaign for residents. Other projects include Lawyer in the Library and loaning laptops and hot spots to patrons.

Commissioner Stoecklin told the Council he received a clarification on the Ross Construction bid. The amount should be the higher amount listed on the bid.

Commissioner Stoecklin – Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since last meeting. He reported that crews have been working on the water line replacement on West Main Street. He gave kudos to the Little Nashville Café for hosting country music artist Pam Tillis.

Mayor Absher amended his motion for Agenda Item 6A, the Pavilion Bathroom Sinks and Cabinetry Replacement. Mayor Absher made a motion to negate the action that was taken as read and instead made a motion to approve the bid from Marion Plumbing, LLC for $32,731 and the bid from Ross Construction for $39,870. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.

MISCELLANEOUS

There were no miscellaneous items to come before the Council.

CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Absher stated he did not have a need for executive session this evening and asked if any of the Commissioners had a need for executive session. Hearing no need for executive session Mayor Absher entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:00 P.M.

https://cityofmarionil.gov/agendas-minutes/